Feith described the airline’s decision to purchase the new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft as the very best choice for Luxair. He said the decision followed months of comparisons with other aircraft models, adding that the Embraer stood out as being more economical, quieter and more environmentally friendly than comparable planes.
According to Feith, the strong demand for the aircraft also supports this assessment, noting that any airline placing an order today would not receive delivery before 2029 or 2030.
Speaking to RTL’s Frank Goetz, the Luxair CEO also addressed questions around safety and the specific operating requirements of the new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. He stressed that passenger safety had never been in doubt.
On Monday, a Luxair flight bound for Milan was forced to turn back shortly after departure as a precaution following a sensor issue. The airline responded swiftly, and Feith reiterated on Tuesday morning that the acquisition of the Embraer aircraft had been the right decision.
While acknowledging that any aircraft turning back is undesirable, Feith said such situations are standard procedure in aviation and should not be viewed as “national news”. He also rejected the idea that the Milan incident raised broader concerns about the Embraer model.
According to Feith, the Milan flight’s precautionary return was not linked to any broader technical issues with the Embraer aircraft. Instead, it followed a directive from Brazil’s civil aviation authority relating to the Pratt & Whitney engines. He explained that it has been known for some time that certain issues can arise in icy conditions, although he admits that this specific aspect was not identified before Luxair purchased the aircraft. He added that the issue affects the entire aircraft type and is not specific to Luxair’s fleet.
Feith emphasised that whenever an incident occurs, every detail is thoroughly checked. While cold weather, such as current conditions in Luxembourg, could potentially lead to similar situations, he said these would be limited to only a few days per year and would not constitute a major operational constraint.
In the interview, Gilles Feith also explained how Luxair’s announcement of a new route to Abu Dhabi followed Etihad’s own plans. As with other destinations, he said the foreign carrier reacted after Luxair applied for airport slots on that route.
